The  decoration  of  the  title-page  is  adapted  from  an  origi- 
nal design  by  Eisen  formerly  in  the  Goncourt  Collection 


THE  DUTIES 

AND  QUALIFICATIONS  OF 

A  LIBRARIAN 


An  Edition  of  frsso  hundred  and  fifty 
copies  in  this  form  and  of  twenty-five 
copies  on  Large  Paper  vsere  printed 
at  The  Merrymount  Press,  Boston,  in 
July,   1906 


THE 

DUTIES 

& 
QUALIFICATIONS 

OF  A 

LIBRARIAN 

A    DISCOURSE  PRONOUNCED    IN 

THE    GENERAL    ASSEMBLY 

OF    THE    SORBONNE 

DECEMBER    23 

1780 

BY 

JEAN-BAPTISTE  COTTON 

DES  HOUSSAYES 


CHICAGO 

A.   C.   McCLURG   &  CO. 

MDCCCCVI 


COPYRIGHT,   A.   C.   MCCLURG    &   CO.,    1906 
PUBLISHED,  JULY   IO,  1906 


D.    B.    UPDIKE,    THE    MERRYMOVNT    PRESS,    EOSTON 


cc- 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  NOTE 


V     0     THE 

UNIVERSITY  )] 

or 

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  NOTE 

THE  following  address  was 
originally  spoken  in  Latin, 
and  when  first  printed  bore  the 
title:  "  Oratio  habit  a  in  comitiis 
generalibus  societatis  sorbonicce 
die  23  decembris  1780  a  D  D. 
Joan.  Bapt.  Cotton  des-Hous- 
sayes  doff.  th.  pariensi,  soc  sor- 
bonico,  bibliothecce ,  sorb.prcefedlo, 
sdl.  Parisiis,p7'oelio  Philippi  Di- 
onysii  Pierres  regis  typographi 
ordinarii,  1781."  Brunei  is  the 
authority  for  the  statement  that 
only  twenty -five  copies  were  is- 
sued. 

The  learned  bibliophile,  Pierre 
Alexander  Grate t  Duplessis,  re- 
cognizing the  value  of  the  paper, 


io  Bibliographical  Note 
and  desiring  a  larger  audience 
for  it,  translated  it  into  French, 
and  gave  it  to  Jacques  Joseph 
Techener  for  the  "  Bulletin  du 
Bibliophile,  Petite  Revue  d'an- 
cien  Livres,"  zvhere  it  appeared 
in  the  number  for  January ,  1839 
(No.  11,  se  serie).  It  occupied 
the  first  place  among  the  biblio- 
graphical, philological  and  liter- 
ary notices  which  were  under  the 
editorship  of  Charles  Nodier;  and 
the  title  now  appears  as," Dis- 
cours  sur  les  qualites  et  les  de- 
voirs du  bibliothecaire,  prononce 
dans  V assemblee  generale  de  Sor- 
bonne,  le  23  decembre  1780,  par 
J.-B.  Cotton  des  Houssayes;  tra- 
duit  du  latin  en  frangois  par  tin 
bibliophile."  The  initials  "  G,  D." 


Bibliographical  Note  11 
are  signed  at  the  end. 

In  1857,  Aug.  Anbry  reissued 
this  translation  exactly  as  it 
stood,  among  the  "  Varietes  Bib- 
liographiques"  of  his  "Bulletin 
du  Bouquinistef>  (17*  numero, 
1 cr  Septembre ),but  with  the  addi- 
tion of  a  preliminary  note  signed 
"  G.  Duplessis."  We  may  assume 
that  the  paper  aroused  the  inter- 
est it  deserved,  since  it  was  reis- 
sued the  same  year  as  an  odtavo 
pamphlet  of  thirteenpages,  limited 
to  one  hundred  copies.  The  title- 
page  reads  as  follows: 

Des  Devoirs  /  Et  Des  Qiiali- 
tes  I  Du  Bibliothecaire  /  Discours 
prononce  dans  V  Assemblee  gene- 
rale  de  Sorbonne,  /  le  23  de- 
cembre  1 780,  /  Par  J.-B.  Cotton 


12  Bibliographical  Note 
Des  Honssayes;  /  Traduit  Du  La- 
tin En  Fran$ais,  Avec  Quel- 
ques  Notes  /  Par  Gratet-Duples- 
sis.  [^Printer's  markr\  Paris  /  A. 
Aubry,  Libr aire- Edit eur ,  /  16, 
Rue  Dauphine.  / 1 8  5  7 

In  this  form  the  text  is  the  same 
as  before;  but  Gratet-Duplessis's 
connection  with  the  work  being 
explained  on  the  title-page,  his 
name  is  dropped  from  the  "  Pre- 
liminaire"  and  his  initials  from 
the  translation;  and  the  whole  is 
prefaced  by  an  "  Avertissement  de 
I'editeur,"  whose  name  does  not 
appear,  but  who,  we  may  fairly 
suppose,  zv as  Aubry. 

While  our  chief  debt  of  grati- 
tude must  always  be  due  to  Du- 
plessis  for  his  perpetuation  of  so 


Bibliographical  Note  13 
valuable  a  contribution  to  library 
literature,  which  otherwise  might 
have  been  lost  to  us,  we  are  under 
no  small  obligatio?i  to  the  editor  of 
"  The  Philobiblion ,  a  Monthly  Bi- 
bliographical Journal,"  published 
by  George  P.  Philes  &  Co.,  of 
New  Tork  [vol.  ii,  March,  1863 
[number  15]]),  for  a  translation 
of  the  "Discours"  as  it  appeared 
in  the  "  Bulletin  du  Bouquiniste." 
This  translation  was  afterwards 
used,  with  a  slight  introduction, 
under  the  title  "  What  a  Libra- 
rian should  be"  in  "The  Biblio- 
grapher" [vol.  Hi,  December, 
1882) ," a  Journal  of  Book  Lore," 
published  in  London  by  Elliot 
Stock,  and  in  New  Tork  by  J.  W. 
Bouton.  We  find  it  again  under 


14  Bibliographical  Note 
the  title  "The  Librarians  Dit- 
ties "in" Book-Lore , a  Magazine 
devoted  to  Old-Time  Literature" 
[vol.  ii,  June,  1 88 5 -November, 
1885),  London,  Elliot  Stock, 
but  with  the  introduction  some- 
what altered. 

The  text  here  presented  con- 
forms to  the  reprint  of  1857,  and 
thus  includes  what  "  The  Philo- 
biblion"  omitted,  Aubry's  note. 
The  translation  is  partly  that  of 
"  The  Philobiblion  "  and  partly 
nezv. 


PREFACE 


'  'NOTICE  BY  THE  EDITOR" 

The  Discourse  on  the  Qual- 
ities and  Duties  of  a  Libra- 
rian has  already  been  edited  by 
our  colleague,  J.  Techener,  in 

1839. 

The  rarity  of  this  treatise  is  not 
the  only  motive  which  induces 
us  to  publish  it  again,  the  charm 
we  felt  in  reading  it  makes  us 
believe  that  we  ought  to  share 
with  others  the  reading  of  a  mas- 
terpiece, almost  unknown,  or  at 
the  best  forgotten. 

The  author  of  the  translation, 
Mr-  Gratet-Duplessis,*  has  giv- 
en a  very  happy  rendering  of  the 

*  Gratet-Duplessis  {Pierre- Alexandre) 
was  born  at  Janville  (Ei/re-et-Loir) 


18  Notice  by  the  Editor 
Discourse  of  Cotton  des  Hous- 
sayes.  It  is  impossible  to  give  to 
his  version  a  more  graceful  or 
original  turn,  or  to  render  with 
more  delicacy  the  grand  and  in- 

on  December  16,  1792. 

Although  very  young,  he  showed  so 
much  intelligence  in  teaching  that  he 
attracted  the  iiotice  of  the  government. 
He  was  appointed  successively  princi- 
pal of  Angers'  college,  inspector  of 
Caen  university  and  reclor  of  the  Lyon 
and  Douai  academies.  Everywhere  he 
proved  himself  an  experienced  admin- 
istrator, everywhere  he  knew  how  to 
male  himself  loved  and  obeyed  by  his 
loyalty,  his  independence  and  his  justice. 

He  early  abandoned  his  university 
career,  in  order  to  give  himself  up  en- 
tirely to  study.  It  would  be  impossible 
in  so  short  a  notice  to  enumerate  the  forty- 
nine  productions  of  Mr-  G.-Du pies  sis; 


Notice  by  the  Editor  19 
genious  thoughts  of  the  librarian 
of  the  Sorbonne. 

La  Bruyere  has  said:  " Scarcely 
ever  till  now  has  a  masterpiece 
of  the  intellect  been  seen  which 
has  been  the  work  of  several 

we  will  only  mention  his  " Bibliographie 
paremiologique"  (l  vol.  8vo,  Paris, 
1847),  his  edition  of  the  "Maximes 
de  La  Rochefoucault"  (1  vol.  18/00, 
Paris,  1853),  and  the  "Livre  des  Mi- 
racles de  N.-D.  de  Chartres"  (1  vol. 
&vo,  Ckartres,  1855). 
Mr-  G. -Duple s sis  died  of  an  apo- 
pletlic  stroke  in  1 853.  He  was  unani- 
mously regretted.  "He  was"  says  Mr- 
Sainte-Beuve,  "the  most  indefatigable 
and  most  disinterested  professor  of  this 
time,  and  also  the  most  obliging  to  every 
one.  Amateur  of  books  in  the  true  sense 
of  the  word,  he  did  not  only  know  them 
thoroughly,  but  also  knew  the  peculiari- 


of  THE    ^ 

UNIVERSITY 

OF 


so  Notice  by  the  Editor 
people;  collaborated  work  and 
translations  have  never  revoked 
this  condemnation.  Indeed,  gen- 
ius demands  unity,  great  minds 
understand  alone  their  own 
thoughts,  alone  they  possess  the 
admirable  secret  of  expressing 
them  in  an  unparalleled  manner. 
Corneille  would  probably  have 
translated  Shakespeare  very 
badly,  and  Schiller  could  never 

ties  which  distinguished  them.  He  was 
different  to  most  amateurs  in  this,  that 
he  desired  rather  to  know  than  to  pos- 
sess them." 

IVe  will  add  nothing  to  this  praise. 
Mr-  G.-Duplessis  still  continues  to  live 
with  us;  we  all  reme?nber  his  affability, 
and  no  one  in  the  republic  of  letters  can 
fail  to  know  that  he  was  as  much  a 
man  of  intelletJ  as  a  man  of  courage. 


Notice  by  the  Editor  21 
have  shown  the  beauties  of  Cor- 
neille.  However,  these  are  three 
tragic  writers  of  the  highest  or- 
der. 

To  this  singular  incapacity, 
which  is  caused  by  the  diversity 
of  our  sentiments,  one  can  only 
add  what  Fontenelle  said  in 
speaking  of  our  features : "  What 
secret  can  nature  have  had  to 
enable  her  to  vary  in  so  many 
ways  so  simple  a  thing  as  a  face." 

This  apparently  insurmounta- 
ble difficulty  has  not  even  been 
perceived  by  Mr-  Gratet-Duples- 
sis, because  in  him  the  Abbe  Cot- 
ton des  Houssayes  lives  again. 
He  possesses  the  same  modesty, 
the  same  urbanity,  the  same  lit- 
erary erudition.  That  which  the 


22  Notice  by  the  Editor 
learned  librarian  expressed  with 
so  much  grace  and  affability  has 
been  thought  and  practised  by 
Mr  Duplessis  without  other  mo- 
dels than  his  own  instincts.  This 
is  the  secret  of  this  charming 
treatise, of  this  translation,  which 
has  not  even  the  appearance  of 
one. 

We  will  say  nothing  of  des 
Houssay es'  Discourse ;  the  read- 
er will  appreciate  it.  We  can  only 
wish  that  all  the  principles  which 
he  here  includes  should  become 
the  rule  of  conduct:  of  all  libra- 
rians. They  would  lose  nothing 
by  it,  and  the  public  would  gain 
much. 


INTRODUCTION 


INTRODUCTION 

THE  short  discourse  of 
which  we  here  offer  to 
our  readers  a  translation,  has 
never  received  a  great  degree  of 
publicity.  Delivered  in  Latin,  be- 
fore a  grave  meeting  of  learned 
doftors,  it  was  designed,  un- 
doubtedly, for  none  but  the 
friendly  ears  of  the  venerable 
assembly  to  which  it  was  ad- 
dressed. A  learned  printer, — of 
a  class  sufficiently  numerous  in 
times  past,  and  of  which  we  are 
fain  to  believe,  without,  how- 
ever, venturing  to  affirm,  there 
may  even  yet  be  found  a  few, 
rari  nantes, — a  printer  to  the 
King,  Monsieur  Pierres,  divined 


26  Introduction 

the  merit  of  the  traft,  and  was 
unwilling  that  so  elegant  a  com- 
position should  be  wTholly  con- 
demned to  forgetfulness :  and  in 
this  he  manifested  both  good 
taste  and  discernment.  He  there- 
fore obtained  the  author's  per- 
mission to  print  a  few  copies  of 
it,  solely  for  the  use  of  those 
who  were  friendly  to  bibliogra- 
phical studies.  The  number  of 
these  privileged  amateurs  was 
quite  limited,  and  we  are  nearly 
certain  that  there  are  hardly 
more  than  twenty-five  copies 
existing  of  this  original  edition 
of  the  Discours  de  VAbb'e  Cotton 
des  Honssayes.  It  makes  a  small 
o6lavo  pamphlet  of  eight  pages, 
printed  with  great  care  on  beau- 


Introduction  27 

tiful  fine  paper.  The  copy  before 
us,  which  we  have  used  for  this 
translation,  was  presented  to  the 
celebrated  Abbe  de  Saint-Leger 
by  the  publisher,  whose  envoi 
and  signature  it  bears. 

The  author  of  this  little  al- 
most unknown  chef-d'oeuvre  is 
scarcely  known  himself  except 
to  the  literary  profession ;  since 
he  belonged  to  the  race,  almost 
wholly  extindrt  at  this  day,  of 
modest  and  laborious  scholars 
who  cultivate  learning  for  its 
own  sake,  and  find  more  plea- 
sure in  adorning  and  strength- 
ening their  minds  in  the  silence 
of  the  cabinet,  than  satisfaction 
in  taking  the  universe  into  con- 
fidence in  their  smallest  labours 


28  Introduction 

or  most  insignificant  discoveries. 
The  Abbe  Cotton  des  Hous- 
sayes  was  born  near  Rouen, 
November  17,  1727,  and  died 
at  Paris,  August  20,  1783.  The 
greater  part  of  his  life  was 
passed  at  Rouen,  in  the  employ- 
ment of  teaching;  and  he  was 
uniformly  distinguished  as  one 
of  the  most  aftive  and  enlight- 
ened members  of  the  Academy 
of  the  Palinods.  He  came  to  re- 
side at  Paris  and  the  Sorbonne 
about  the  year  1776. 

The  Abbe  Cotton  des  Hous- 
sayes  conceived  the  proje<5t  of 
a  grand  bibliographical  work, 
which  was  to  appear  under  the 
title,  Histoire  Litter  aire  U?iiver- 
selle,  or  Bibliotheque  Raisonnee, 


Introduction  29 

the  plan  of  which  may  be  found 
in  the  Ann'ee  Litteraire  for  1 780, 
and  in  the  Journal des  Savants  for 
1 781 ;  but  the  project  was  never 
executed.  The  Abbe  has  left  be- 
hind him  only  some  eulogies  and 
a  few  poetical  pieces,  which  are 
contained  in  the  printed  collec- 
tions of  the  Academy  of  Rouen. 
The  following  discourse  is  per- 
haps the  most  finished  of  his 
works.  It  seems,  in  fa 61,  scarcely 
possible  to  bring  together  more 
happily  so  many  thoughts  in  so 
limited  a  space,  and  not  less 
difficult  to  present  them  with 
greater  precision  and  elegance. 
We  have  endeavoured  to  make 
our  translation  worthy  of  so  per- 
fect an  original. 


DISCOURSE 


DISCOURSE 

ON  THE 

DUTIES  AND  QUALIFICATIONS 

OF  A  LIBRARIAN 

TO  receive  a  public  testi- 
mony of  esteem  from  an 
assembly  of  illustrious  person- 
ages, whose  merit  places  them 
above  eulogium,  has  always  ap- 
peared to  me  the  highest  and 
most  glorious  of  distinctions.  On 
learning  that  your  suffrages  had 
designated  me  as  the  guardian 
of  your  library,  I  experienced 
some  difficulty,  I  must  confess, 
in  subduing  a  slight  feeling  of 
presumption ;  but  refleftion  soon 
gave  me  to  understand,  that  what 
you  desired  by  this  circumstance 
to  honour  and  reward  in  me  was 


34         The  Duties  of 
not  successes,  which  my  labours 
had  not  obtained ,  but  some  feeble 
efforts  which  you  had  deigned 
to  appreciate. 

When  I  refleft,  indeed,  on 
the  qualifications  that  should  be 
united  in  your  librarian,  they 
present  themselves  to  my  mind 
in  so  great  a  number,  and  in 
such  a  character  of  perfe&ion, 
that  I  distrust  my  ability  not  only 
to  enumerate,  but  also  to  trace  a 
true  pifture  of  them ;  for  it  can- 
not be  denied,  gentlemen,  that 
the  Society  of  the  Sorbonne,  so 
justly  celebrated  in  all  Europe, 
or,  more  properly,  throughout 
the  world,  for  the  depth  no  less 
than  for  the  extent  of  its  erudi- 
tion, ought,  as  it  has  hitherto 
done,  to  present  to  the  learned 


■     ERS  | 

'OF 

A  ETB^fflAN  35 

world,  in  the  person  of  its  li- 
brarian, none  other  than  one  of 
those  privileged  men,  capable 
of  proving  himself,  upon  occa- 
sion, instructed  to  the  same 
degree  in  profane  as  in  sacred 
learning, — familiar  with  the  re- 
searches of  the  highest  erudi- 
tion, and  with  the  productions 
of  a  more  ephemeral  and  less 
elevated  literature. 

Your  librarian, gentlemen, is  in 
some  sort  your  official  repre- 
sentative. To  him  is  remitted  the 
deposit  of  your  glory.  To  him  is 
intrusted,  as  a  duty,  the  impor- 
tant mission  of  maintaining,  and 
even  of  increasing,  if  that  be  pos- 
sible, and  as  far  as  his  ability  will 
admit, — of  increasing,  I  repeat, 
your  brilliant  reputation  when- 


36  The  Duties  of 

ever  a  stranger,  illustrious  by 
birth  or  his  scientific  merit,  or 
doubly  illustrious,  perhaps,  by 
both  of  these  titles,  comes  to 
the  Sorbonne  with  a  curious,  a 
learned,  or  even  with  a  jealous 
eye, to  examine  the  precious  the- 
ological and  literary  treasures  of 
your  library,  and  to  draw  from 
it  wherewith  to  increase  his  own 
riches.  Thus,  therefore,  your  li- 
brarian should  be,  above  all,  a 
learned  and  profound  theolo- 
gian; but  to  this  qualification, 
which  I  shall  call  fundamental, 
should  be  united  vast  literary 
acquisitions,  an  exacl;  and  pre- 
cise knowledge  of  all  the  arts 
and  sciences,  great  facility  of 
expression,  and,  lastly,  that  ex- 
quisite politeness  which  concili- 


A  Librarian  37 

ates  the  affeftion  of  his  visitors 
while  his  merit  secures  their  es- 
teem. 

A  librarian  truly  worthy  of  the 
name  should,  if  I  may  be  per- 
mitted the  expression,  have  ex- 
plored in  advance  every  region 
of  the  empire  of  letters,  to  en- 
able him  afterwards  to  serve  as 
a  faithful  guide  to  all  who  may 
desire  to  survey  it.  And  though 
it  is  by  no  means  my  intention 
to  give  the  preference  above  all 
other  sciences  to  the  science  of 
bibliography,  which  is  nothing 
more  than  an  exacT:  and  critical 
acquaintance  with  the  produc- 
tions of  the  intellect ,  it  will  never- 
theless be  permitted  me  to  con- 
sider this  science  as  the  forerun- 
ner of  all  the  others, — as  their 


38  The  Duties  of 

guide,  who  is  to  light  them  with 
his  torch,* — nearly  as  a  devoted 
and  dutiful  son  precedes  his  fa- 
ther, to  secure  and  facilitate  his 
progress  by  throwing  light  upon 
his  path.  Thus  the  superinten- 
dent of  a  library,  whatever  be  its 
character, should  be  no  stranger 
to  any  department  of  learning: 
sacred  and  profane  literature, 
the  fine  arts,  the  exaft  sciences, 
all  should  be  familiar  to  him.  A 
diligent  and  indefatigable  stu- 
dent, ardently  devoted  to  let- 
ters, his  sole  and  abiding  aim 
should  be  to  make  sure  their 
advancement.  Especially  should 
the  superintendent  of  such  a  li- 
brary as  yours, — which  is  not, 
by  right,  designed  for  the  pub- 
lic,— if  he  desires  to  increase  the 


A  Librarian  39 

reputation  of  the  illustrious  so- 
ciety which  he  represents, — if 
he  also  desires  to  give  proofs  of 
its  devotion  to  learning — re- 
ceive all  its  visitors  whether 
scholars  or  the  simply  curious, 
with  an  assiduous  attention  so 
polite  and  kindly,  that  his  recep- 
tion shall  appear  to  each  one  the 
effeft  of  a  distinction  purely 
personal.  He  will  never  seek  to 
steal  away  from  the  notice  of 
all  into  some  solitary  or  un- 
known retreat.  Neither  cold  nor 
heat,  nor  his  multiplied  occupa- 
tions, will  ever  be  to  him  a  pre- 
text for  evading  the  obligation  he 
has  contracted  to  be  a  friendly 
and  intelligent  guide  to  all  the 
scholars  who  may  visit  him.  For- 
getting himself,  on  the  contrary, 


40  The  Duties  of 

and  laying  aside  all  occupations, 
he  will  lead  them  forward  with 
a  cheerful  interest,  taking  plea- 
sure in  introducing  them  to  his 
library;  he  will  examine  with 
them  all  its  parts  and  divisions; 
every  thing  precious  or  rare  that 
it  may  contain  he  will  himself 
put  before  them.  Should  a  parti- 
cular book  appear  to  be  even  of 
passing  interest  to  one  of  his 
guests,  he  will  quickly  seize  the 
occasion,  and  obligingly  place 
it  at  his  service;  he  will  even, 
moreover,  have  the  delicate  at- 
tention to  lay  open  before  him 
all  the  books  relating  to  the 
same  subject,  in  order  to  make 
his  researches  easier  and  more 
complete.  When  parting  from 
the  stranger  whom  he  has  just 


A  Librarian  41 

received, he  will  not  fail  to  thank 
him  for  his  visit,  and  to  assure 
him  that  the  institution  will  al- 
ways feel  honoured  by  the  pre- 
sence of  a  man  whose  labours 
cannot  but  contribute  to  its  re- 
nown. The  custodian  of  a  liter- 
ary deposit  should  especially 
guard  himself  against  that  unfor- 
tunate disposition  which  would 
render  him,  like  the  dragon  in 
the  fable,  jealous  of  the  trea- 
sures entrusted  to  his  keeping, 
and  lead  him  to  conceal  from 
the  inspection  of  the  public  riches 
which  had  been  brought  togeth- 
er solely  with  the  view  of  being 
placed  at  its  disposition.  What, 
moreover,  would  be  the  objeclof 
these  precious  collections,  gath- 
ered at  so  great  expense  by  for- 


42  The  Duties  of 

tune  or  by  science,  if  they  were 
not  consecrated,  according  to 
the  intention  of  their  generous 
founders,  to  the  advancement, 
the  glory,  and  the  perfection  of 
science  and  literature? 

But  that  a  library  may  fully  at- 
tain the  end  of  its  foundation, — 
that  it  may  be  in  reality  useful, 
and  useful  with  equal  certainty 
and  facility, — it  should  be  ad- 
ministered by  a  librarian  distin- 
guished for  soundness  of  judge- 
ment no  less  than  for  the  readi- 
ness and  accuracy  of  his  memory . 
Men  would  love  to  find  in  him, 
not  that  vain  and  imperfeft  bi- 
bliographical knowledge  that  at- 
taches itself  merely  to  the  sur- 
face, much  less  the  narrow  pre- 
ferences inspired  by  the  spirit 


A  Librarian  43 

of  party,  or  those  exclusive  pre- 
dilections that  border  upon  ma- 
nia; but  an  erudition  at  once 
ample  and  considerate,  which 
has  solely  in  view  the  advance- 
ment of  knowledge,  and  which 
is  ever  able  to  distinguish,  with 
equal  taste  and  accuracy,  origi- 
nal works  that  are  worthy  to  be 
proposed  as  models,  from  those 
equivocal  productions  justly  con- 
demned to  forgetfulness  for  their 
mediocrity.  He  will  therefore 
not  admit  indiscriminately  every 
book  into  his  collection,  but  will 
selecl:  such  only  as  are  of  genu- 
ine merit  and  of  well-approved 
utility;  and  his  acquisitions, 
guided  by  the  principles  of  an 
enlightened  economy,  will  be 
rendered  still  more  valuable  by 


44  The  Duties  of 

the  substantial  merits  of  an  able 
classification.  It  is  impossible,  in 
fa<5t,  to  attach  too  much  impor- 
tance to  the  advantages  resulting 
from  an  intelligent  and  methodi- 
cal order  in  the  arrangement  of 
a  library.  Of  what  utility  would 
be  the  richest  treasures  if  it  were 
not  possible  to  make  use  of  them? 
Wherefore  this  complete  arsenal 
of  science,  if  the  arms  it  keeps 
in  reserve  are  not  within  reach 
of  those  who  would  wield  them? 
And  if,  as  is  said,  books  are  the 
medicine  of  the  soul,  what  avail 
these  intellectual  pharmacopoe- 
ias, if  the  remedies  which  they 
contain  are  not  disposed  in  order 
and  labelled  with  care? 

In    thus    considering,  gentle- 
men, all  the  various  attainments 


A  Librarian  45 

that  should  characterize  a  libra- 
rian, will  any  one  now  wonder 
at  the  consideration  which  has 
ever  been,  and  still  is,  accorded 
to  men  honoured  with  this  title? 
Will  he  wonder  to  see  at  Rome, 
at  the  head  of  the  Library  of 
the  Vatican,  a  learned  Cardinal, 
equally  distinguished  for  his  im- 
mense erudition,  and  for  supe- 
rior merit  in  every  department? 
Will  he  be  surprised,  in  short, 
that  in  all  ages,  and  even  in  our 
own  time,  the  greater  part  of 
the  scholars  charged  with  the 
administration  of  libraries  have 
shone  with  so  much  brilliancy  in 
the  empire  of  letters?  And  if  I 
wished  to  give  to  my  words  the 
authority  of  example,  I  should 
have  to  name  here  only  a  few 


46  The  Duties  of 
of  those  who  have  preceded  me 
in  the  walk  that  has  just  been 
opened  to  me ;  I  should  content 
myself  with  citing  the  name  of 
the  venerable  man  whose  place 
I  supply,  and  whose  retirement, 
caused  by  infirmities,  inspires 
you  with  such  poignant  regrets. 
But  for  fear  of  exposing  myself 
to  the  reproach  of  adulation, — 
though  my  praise  would  be  but 
the  expression  of  truth, — I  shall 
endeavour  to  be  silent.  I  shall  not 
attempt  further  to  lay  open  be- 
fore you,  as  Naude  formerly 
did,  the  particular  catalogue  of 
librarians  who  rendered  them- 
selves distinguished;  but  you 
will  at  least  permit  me  to  re- 
call to  you  the  names  of  the  il- 
lustrious Cardinals  Ouirini  and 


A  Librarian  47 

Passionei;-f  that  of  Naude,^ 
who  deserves  particular  men- 
tion, that  of  Muratori,§  that  ad- 
mirable prodigy  of  learning, 
whose  writings  in  every  depart- 
ment of  learning  would  of  them- 
selves alone  form  a  library;  and, 
finally,  the  name  of  Franck,|| 
whose  Catalogue  of  the  Library 
of  Biinau  has  always  seemed  to 
me  the  first  and  most  perfeft  of 
all  the  works  devoted  to  biblio- 
graphy. 

Thus,  gentlemen,  when  the 
numerous  duties  of  the  librarian, 
and  the  consideration  habitually 
attached  to  that  title,  present 
themselves  to  my  mind,  I  have 
been  surprised,  as  I  still  am,  at 
having  been  the  objeft  of  your 
suffrages;  and   my  surprise  is 


48  The  Duties  of 

increased  when  I  reflect  that 
a  single  circumstance  was  the 
cause  of  the  honourable  prefer- 
ence which  you  have  been 
pleased  to  accord  me:  I  mean 
the  assiduity  with  which  I  visited 
your  library,  during  a  spring 
and  summer,  for  the  purpose  of 
silently  selecting  from  it  the 
documents  needed  to  conduct  to 
their  conclusion  some  theologi- 
cal and  literary  labours,  which  I 
shall  consider  brought  almost  to 
perfection  if  they  result  in  caus- 
ing me  to  appear  even  in  a  mo- 
derate degree  worthy  of  the 
honours  which  you  have  been 
pleased  to  confer  upon  me. 

I  therefore  truly  appreciate, 
gentlemen,  all  the  honour  of  the 
glorious  burden  which  you  have 


A  Librarian  49 

just  imposed  upon  me ;  but  I  feel, 
at  the  same  time,  how  much  it  is 
beyond  my  strength,  as  well  by 
its  own  nature  as  by  the  duties 
which  circumstances  may  fur- 
ther add  to  it.  But  I  venture  to 
hope  that  your  kindness  will 
sustain  my  weakness;  I  shall 
have  to  support  me  your  coun- 
sels, which  I  shall  ever  make  it 
a  duty  to  follow.  Your  spirit, 
your  hands  even,  I  am  fain  to 
believe,  will  aid  me  in  arran- 
ging, in  ornamenting,  in  main- 
taining, in  enlarging  your  li- 
brary ;  and  what  remains  to  me 
yet  of  vigour,  what  remains  to 
me  yet  of  a  life  which  is  ad- 
vancing rapidly  to  its  decline,  I 
have  firmly  resolved  shall  be  de- 
voted to  the  task  of  proving  my- 


50  A  Librarian's  Duties 
self  in  all  respefts  worthy  of 
the  honours  which  you  have  been 
pleased  to  confer  upon  me,  and 
the  confidence  you  have  placed 
in  me,  of  which  I  trust  you  will 
never  have  cause  to  repent. 
Thus,  gentlemen,  all  my  cares, 
all  my  efforts,  all  my  studies, 
will  be  devoted  to  the  sole  ob- 
ject of  proving  the  deep  grati- 
tude with  which  your  goodness 
has  inspired  me,  of  which  I  shall 
never  lose  the  remembrance. 


NOTES 


NOTES 

*  Notitia  librorum  est  dimidium  stu- 
diorum,  et  maxima  eruditionis  pars 
exaclam  librorum  habere  cognitionem. 
"An  acquaintance  with  books  abridges 
by  one-half  the  path  of  knowledge; 
and  he  is  already  well  advanced  in 
learning  who  knows  with  exactness 
the  works  that  contain  it." — Gas  par 
Thurmann,  quoted  by  the  Abbe  Rive, 
"Prospetlus  d'un  ouvrage  publie  par 
souscription,"  page  59,  notes. 

\  ^hese  two  Cardinals  were  both  li- 
brarians of  the  Vatican,  and  both  for- 
eign members  of  the  French  Academy 
of  Inscriptions  and  Belles-lettres. 

Quirini,  or  rather  Querini,  was  born 
at  Venice,  March  30,  1 680,  and  died 
January  6,  1759.  His  eulogy,  by  he- 
beau,  may  be  found  in  volume  xxvii  of 
"Memoires  de  V  Academie  des  Ins  crip- 
tionsT 


54  Notes 

Passionei  (Dominick)  —  born  Decem- 
ber 2,  1682,  deceased  July  5,  1761 
—  succeeded  Querini  in  the  office  of 
librarian  of  the  Vatic  an. He  was  a  man 
passionately  devoted  to  letters,  and 
somewhat  vehement  in  characler.  At 
the  conclave  of  1758,  he  was  on  the 
point  of  being  eletled  Pope:  he  had  ob- 
tained eighteen  votes;  but  the  fears  in- 
spired by  the  inequality  of  his  temper 
caused  him  to  be  set  aside.  His  eulogy 
may  be  found  in  volume  xxxi  of  "  Me- 
moires  de  V Academic" 

J  Naude  (Gabriel^),  a  learned  biblio- 
grapher, who  may  be  regarded  as  in 
facl  the  creator  of  the  Mazarine  Li- 
brary, was  born  at  Paris,  February  2, 
1600,  and  died  in  the  prime  of  his 
life,  July  29,  1 653.  Some  particulars 
concerning  him,  equally  curious  and 
reliable,  ?nay  be  found  in  a  work  by 
M.  Petit-Radel,  entitled  "  Recherche s 


Notes  55 

sur  les  BibliotKeques  Anciennes  et  Mo- 
dernes"  (Part's,  18 19,  8vo).  Naude 
was  the  dearest  and  most  constant 
friend  of  the  learned  and  caustic  Guy- 
Patin;  and,  such  an  intimacy  existing, 
it  is  difficult  to  explain  how  he  could  be 
the  eulogist  of  the  Saint  Bartholomew. 
"Le  Sage  dit,  selon  les  gens,  etc." 

§  Muratori  (Louis- Antoine)  was 
born  Oclober  21,  1672,  in  the  duchy 
of  Modena,  and  died  January  23, 
1750.  Tkis  indefatigable  scholar  left 
sixty-four  works,  which  form  a  collec- 
tion of  thirty-six  volumes  quarto,  pub- 
lished at  Arezzo,  1767-80;  or  a  se- 
leclion  of  forty-eight  volumes  oclavo, 
published  at  Venice,  1 790- 1810. 

I  F ranch  or  Franke  (Jean-Michel) 
was  born  in  1717,  in  Upper  Saxony, 
and  died  June  19,  1775.  His  "Cata- 
logue de  la  Bibliotheque  du  Comte  de 
Bunau,"  Leipsic,  1750-6,  in  seven  vol- 


56  Notes 

umes  quarto,  is  a  masterpiece  of  patience 
and  bibliographical  learning.  Unfor- 
tunately for  science,  this  work  was 
not  wholly  completed.  Franck  ?nerits  in 
every  respetl  the  praise  bestowed  upon 
him  by  the  author  of  the  Discourse;  and 
it  would  be  gratifying  if  all  the  editors 
of  catalogues — though  it  would  be  too 
much  to  exacl  of  the?n  the  power  of  this 
able  bibliographer — would  at  least 
take  him  for  a  model  before  commencing 
their  work. 


14  DAY  USE 

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